Dane looked away. He was angry with himself that he hadn’t picked up on it before. It was clear that Alex and Miguel had something going on between them. He planned on talking to Alex after they left the dinner.
Miguel was about to take his seat when he saw five men pulling out their guns and rushing towards their table. “GUNS! EVERYBODY DOWN!” One of the shooters opened fire. Miguel jumped in front of Alex and shielded her with his body. He reached for his gun and felt that familiar sticky, wet feeling; he had been shot.
Miles practically threw Eden under the table as he drew his gun. Eric pushed Faith down as well. Dane stood up and started shooting, followed by Eric.
They had taken out all five shooters in what seemed like seconds but the damage was done. Miguel’s table was clearly the target as the shooters didn’t waste their time on anyone else, they came right for Miguel and his men.
When the shooters were all taken down Dane dropped to his knees. He could see the guards rushing towards them and he heard sirens before he passed out.
Eric helped Faith up. “Are you alright?” Faith couldn’t even speak she just nodded her head.
Miles had blood on him but it wasn’t his blood. He panicked and crawled under the table praying it wasn’t Eden’s. “Were you hit?”
“No, were you?”
“No, I think I’m ok.” Miles pulled Eden towards him and then he helped her up. She hugged him.
Alex tried to move but she couldn’t. She had pain but she couldn’t tell if she had been shot or not. All she knew was that Miguel had collapsed on top of her and he was bleeding. She screamed, “HELP! SOMEONE HELP!”
Eden pulled away from Miles and they ran to the other side of the table. Miles dropped to the floor and rolled Miguel off of Alex. They were both saturated in blood. Miguel had been hit a few times and was unconscious.
Eden stood there screaming, “Help him, somebody help my brother.”
Faith and Eric helped Alex up into a chair. “She’s in shock.” Eric pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around Alex.
“Miguel, Miguel, he, he saved me.”
Faith tried to see if Alex had been hurt but so far it just looked as if she only some had cuts from flying glass and a bruise on her cheek. The blood was all Miguel’s. Alex reached out her hand. “He can’t die. Please don’t let him die.”
Faith looked at Eric willing him to say something. “He’s stubborn as a mule, he’ll be ok.”
The medics were tending to Dane and Miguel. It wasn’t until Alex heard someone say Dane’s name that she even remembered he was there. She turned and saw him lying there too. She got up and walked over to him. They had him on a stretcher getting him ready to go. He blinked his eyes.
“Dane.”
Dane opened his eyes and looked at Alex. “You…ok?”
“I’m fine and you’re going to be fine too.”
“Take, take c c care of Mmm…Migs.”
“Dane, no I’m not leaving you.”
“Go. I know.”
Alex blinked and tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt like an absolute awful person for not loving Dane right now and even worse, that he was aware of it.
“I can’t. I won’t leave you.”
“Good…b bye, Alex.” Dane closed his eyes.
The medics rolled him out. Alex looked over to where Miguel was and Eden was in Miles’ arms crying. The medics must have peeled her off of her brother. Alex walked closer to see what was going on.
Alex asked the medics, “Will he be ok? You can save him, right?”
“We’ll do our best.”
Alex stood next to Miguel. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, “I love you.”
Faith rubbed her back. “He’ll be ok.”
“What if he isn’t?”
“Then we will deal with it…together.” Faith hugged Alex tight. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”
Faith texted Ryan and he was waiting at the hospital when they arrived. The moment he saw Alex he ran towards her. “Alex, oh my God. Are you alright.”
Alex just nodded. She was too mentally drained to speak.
Faith walked over to the desk to speak with the nurse. “Hi, I think my friend is in shock and may need a stitch or two. Can someone take a look at her?”
“Sure. Was she in an accident?”
“We were at the…shooting, two men were brought in by ambulance.”
“You don’t look so good yourself…” The nurse got up to check out Faith.
“I’m ok, it’s my friend.”
Ryan grabbed a wheelchair and sat Alex in it. He walked over to where Faith was and when he was about two steps away she collapsed. Ryan caught her before she hit the floor.
The nurse yelled for the orderly to come. Ryan lifted Faith up and onto a gurney and they rolled her away.
“Ryan, what happened to Faith? I think she just fainted from all the stress. I told the nurse I would wheel you inside.”
Miles had all he could do to keep Eden from running into the ER and finishing off the two surviving men who tried to execute them. First their handler supposedly commits suicide and now someone sent those men in to take out their entire Team. Miles couldn’t wait for Eric to arrive so he could figure out what their next step was going to be. For now, though, Eric was dealing with the police and he had Eden to look after.
“Why aren’t they telling us anything?”
“Eden, he’s in surgery. As soon as they know something they will come and tell us.”
“I don’t understand, I just don’t. How did they get in? Who sent them? Why…”
“I don’t know, but if it’s the last thing I do I will find out. I promise.” Miles pulled Eden close and kissed the top of her head.
Alex laid there while the doctor gave her a stitch in her chin and a few in the palm of her hand. She remembered putting her hand up to shield her face from some sort of debris. The doctor said it was a good thing she did or her face would have taken a beating.
“Any news on my friends?”
“I’m sorry, all I know is that they both went straight into surgery.”
“What about my friend who fainted?”
“I can check and let you know as soon as I finish wrapping up this hand.”
“Thank you.”
“I will have the nurse bring you in some scrubs to change into after you wash up.”
“That is very kind. Thank you.”
“There, now you should be as good as new in about ten days.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
“Give me a minute and I will be right back to let you know about your friend.” The doctor pulled back the curtain and walked out.
Alex prayed Miguel and Dane would be alright.
Ryan was in with Faith when the doctor poked his head in.
“Is my sister alright, doctor?”
“Yes, she is all stitched up. I asked a nurse to get her some scrubs to change into. I’m just here to check in on this lovely lady.”
“I’m fine. I think I just had a panic attack.” Faith looked a bit embarrassed.
“I’d say from what I heard it sounds like you had a good reason to panic.”
“Don’t worry, I’m here now and I will make sure that you and Alex are taken care of.” Ryan grabbed Faith’s hand.
“I will go let Miss DiPietro know that you are alright and I will tell her that she can meet you in the waiting room.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Ryan turned around and shook the doctor’s hand.
“Ryan, why do you think someone wanted to kill us?”
“I don’t, I think someone wanted to kill Miguel.”
“I could understand kidnapping for a ransom but killing?”
“Bad business deal, who knows. I just wish my sister never got involved with him.”
“Your sister is in love with him.”
“I know. Hey, let’s get you changed out of that ugly hospital gown and go wait for Alex.�
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“You’re going to help me change?” Faith smiled.
“It’s not like I haven’t already seen you naked, but I’ll go.” Ryan turned to walk out.
“Ryan, I was just teasing you.”
“Good, because I could use a cheap thrill!” Ryan winked. Faith tossed her pillow at him.
Alex walked into the waiting area and just her luck, the first person she sees is Eden. It wasn’t like she hated her but she hated how possessive she was about Miguel and Miles, it just rubbed her the wrong way.
“Alex, have you heard anything about my brother?”
“No, I was hoping you had.”
Miles walked over to Alex and hugged her. “Come sit down. What did the doctor say when he saw you?”
“I just needed some stitches. I’m ok. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m just worried about Migs and Dane.”
“Me too.” Alex hugged Miles. She could see Eden sitting there looking so lost and alone. She pulled away from Miles. “She needs you more than I do.”
Miles looked over at Eden, then back at Alex, “He’s her whole world.” Miles went over and sat down with Eden and held her hand.
Alex was about to sit down when a doctor walked in and pulled down his mask. “Is there someone here for Mr. Carlton?”
Miles jumped up, “Me.”
“Are you family?”
“No but…”
“I can only…”
“I’m his girlfriend.” Alex blurted out. She knew it was a lie but she was desperate to know how Dane was doing.
“Does he have family here?”
“No, it’s just me. Please tell me, is he going to be alright?”
“He had a gunshot wound to the thigh, which nicked his femoral artery resulting in substantial blood loss. Luckily, we got to him in time and I am hopeful that he will make a full recovery.”
Miles grabbed Alex’s hand. “Oh thank God.”
“Can we see him?”
“When he is out of recovery. I will let the nurses know to send someone for you.”
“Thank you.” Alex walked back over and sat down with Ryan and Faith.
Several hours had gone by before Miguel’s doctor finally walked through the door. “Eden Cruz?”
Eden shot to her feet like a firework on fourth of July. “Yes, I’m Eden Cruz. How’s my brother?”
“Maybe we should go…”
“He didn’t make it, did he?” Eden burst into tears.
“Miss Cruz, calm down. He’s critical but stable. We removed the bullets and repaired the damage.”
“I want to see him.”
“He’s in recovery. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. Come back in a few hours.”
“NO! I WANT TO SEE MY BROTHER NOW!”
Miles grabbed Eden. “Calm down.”
“I need to see him, Miles.”
“Miss Cruz, what your brother needs is rest.”
Alex walked over to the doctor. “Excuse me doctor, but I happen to know that Mr. Cruz makes extremely large donations to this hospital and if he wakes up and finds out that his sister is hysterical, it won’t be good, for you or for this hospital.”
The doctor stepped back and cleared his throat, “Well maybe I can sneak you in to see him, but just for a few minutes.”
Eden looked at Alex and smiled. “Thank you.”
Alex nodded her head.
“Hey, why don’t you all go home. I’m going to hang here with Eden and I can keep you all posted on Dane and Miguel.”
“Thanks Miles, but I’m not leaving. However, I do agree that Ryan and Faith should go home.”
“We don’t agree, do we Ryan?”
“I don’t know; I think we should take turns going home so that someone can always be here.”
“Faith, Ryan, I love you both but the only reason you are here is for me and I’m fine. If I need you, I know that I can call you and you will be here. Right now I want you to go home, please.”
“Ok, Sis.” Ryan kissed Alex on the forehead. “Call me if you need me.”
Faith hugged Alex. “Take care of yourself, Sweetie.”
“I will.”
Miles walked over to Faith and took her hand. “When I said I’d make sure we had a blast, I certainly didn’t mean for it to be literal.”
Faith couldn’t help it; she knew it wasn’t appropriate but she laughed anyway. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry, that I made a bad joke?”
“Miles, I know that none of this was your fault.”
“I’m relieved that you’re alright.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”
Ryan and Faith left.
Miles walked over to Alex. “What you did for Eden…”
“Eden? I did that for Miguel. I didn’t want him to wake up and find out his sister was in jail for inciting a riot.”
“Good call.” Miles smiled. “Let’s go sit and wait.”
ALEX SPENT MOST OF the night pacing and looking at Miguel’s photos on the internet. She wanted to run to his room and tell him that she loved him but she knew it wouldn’t matter. She decided that once the doctor said he was out of the woods that she would leave.
“Alex, are you awake?”
Alex opened her eyes and Eden was hovering over her. “Is it Miguel or Dane?”
“Dane is doing much better; he’s been upgraded to fair condition. He’s awake and he wants to see you.”
“And your brother?”
“Miguel is still critical but the nurse told me that he is improving, I’m not sure what that means since he is still critical but I will take it.”
“Good.” Alex looked away, she wondered why Eden woke her up to chat, when she had not wanted to chat with her all night.
“Alex, I was trying to think of a way to approach this but there really isn’t any other way, so I’m just going to put it out there. I would appreciate it if you would answer me truthfully.”
“Of course.”
“What’s the deal with you and Dane?”
“I guess you could say we’re dating.”
“Do you love him?”
Alex felt like she was in the hot seat. “No. I care about him; he is a great guy but I’m not in love with Dane.”
“Thank God.”
“Eden, you have a thing for Dane?”
“Hell no and, if I did, my brother would kill him. He’s a bit of a player, you know.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
Eden sat down next to Alex and held her hand. Alex thought Eden was suffering from sleep deprivation for sure.
“Alex, are you in love with my brother?”
Alex exhaled. She wasn’t sure what to say. “What does it matter?”
“I knew it.”
“Eden…”
“Did you two have a fight and that’s why you resigned?”
“No, that isn’t why I resigned. Eden why are you asking me all these questions?”
“Because I think my brother is in love with you.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Then tell me why he keeps mumbling your name?”
Alex looked up at Eden almost in disbelief. “My name?”
“At first I thought he was saying “a list” but then it clicked, he was calling out for you, Alex.”
Alex smiled, could it be? Was there a chance? No, he was probably just concerned that she may have been hurt. The wishful thinking was short lived. “I’m sure he is just worried, that I may have been hurt. He’s the one who…”
“Then go see him. Humor me.”
“They won’t let me in.”
“Oh yes they will, in fact I told them I would send you up.”
“You told them what?”
“Please, it doesn’t matter why he is mumbling your name, it’s still your name. Go and let him know that you’re there and that you’re alright.”
“Ok.” Alex got up and headed upstairs to see Miguel.
Miles made the excuse that he
needed fresh air so that he could go outside and call Eric and find out if he got any information on the guys that tried to take them out.
“Eric, what did you find out?”
“The security team that we had in place at the Dinner was hit too. Ten men, nine were found drugged. The tenth one is missing.”
“Find out who…”
“Jakey Carter. I have our men looking for him.”
“Davis will give you whatever manpower is needed.”
“I have security everywhere; they were told to remain invisible. I even put a detail on Faith and Ryan, just on the off chance they become targets due to our association.”
“Good thinking.”
“Do I call this in to the Agency or not?”
“I don’t know. If it’s an inside job, then the less said the better but we also don’t want anyone knowing we’ve become suspicious.”
“Let’s feed them some information then.”
“Ok, let’s just make sure between the four of us that we all are on the same page.”
“Miles, there are only two of us right now.”
“I know. Dane and Migs, they’ll be back at it soon.”
“Sure hope so.”
“I’ve got to go back inside before Eden becomes suspicious.”
“Eden knows that Miguel is involved in some undercover work for the government, doesn’t she?”
“She knows that he and I go on trips and we play what she calls Batman and Robin but not more than that and I’d rather keep it that way.”
“Ok. Keep me posted.”
“Yeah, thanks Eric.”
Miles hung up and placed his phone back in his pocket. He looked at the men around him trying to size them all up. Two were definite specialists but whose side were they on?
Alex stood at the foot of Miguel’s bed staring down at him. He had wires and tubes everywhere and oxygen to help him breathe but he was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
“Are you Alex, by any chance?”
“I am.”
“I think he’s been waiting for you.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Still critical, but if he continues to steadily improve, I’d say they will upgrade him to serious by the day’s end.”
“Thank you.”
“Talk to him and let him know that you’re here.”
Alex moved to the side of the bed. She didn’t know what she wanted to do or say. The nurse tapped her on the shoulder.
Love & Lies Page 10